Rumor has it BYU's Rose is candidate in Houston

If it's March, that means it's time for the rumors to start. And the first from BYU is that assistant coach Dave Rose is a candidate for the head coaching job at the University of Houston.

Rose's name came up following the firing of Alvin Brooks on Sunday. Brooks went 9-19 this year with the Cougars, 2-14 in Conference USA. Brooks was the coach for five seasons, compiling a 54-83 record.Rose, who played at Houston in 1980-81 and 1982-83, coached three years at Millard High, one at Pine View and 10 at Dixie College - eight as head coach. He also played at Dixie. As Dixie's coach he compiled a 167-57 record, won three conference titles, and six of his seven teams were nationally ranked.

"It's probably little bit speculation I'm sure," said Rose.

Rose said Monday morning he had not been contacted by the university. However, he did say he had several conversations with Houston athletic officials before the school hired Brooks. Since then, said Rose, most of the athletic personnel he knew has moved on to other jobs.

Still, said Rose, he would be interested in returning to his alma mater.

"Sure it's a job I'd be interested in," said Rose. "I mean I had a great time there, a great experience and we had some great teams."

A native of Houston, Rose led his district in scoring in high school. He joined the BYU staff of first-year coach Steve Cleveland this year.

Rose's name wasn't among the early contenders listed in the Houston Chronicle. That paper mentioned ex-Houston Rockets' coach Don Chaney, ex-Dallas Mavericks' coach Jim Cleamons and South Florida Community College coach George Walker.